The Prevalence and Overlaps of Temporomandibular Disorders in Patients with Myofascial Pain with Referral—A Pilot Study

The aim of the study was to evaluate the temporomandibular joint, the prevalence of single and multiple diagnosis and potential sided domination of temporomandibular dysfunction in patients with temporomandibular disorder—myofascial pain with referral. The study group enrolled 50 people—37 females and 13 males between 18 and 25 years old with an average age of 23.36 ± 2.14. The patients underwent joint vibration analysis. Sixty seven percent of all examined tem-poromandibular joints were classified as group I according to Mark Piper’s classification. Class IIIA appeared in 17% of joints. Eight percent of temporomandibular joints were classified as class IVA. There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of temporomandibular disorder with respect to gender (p = 0.838639). The relatively high prevalence of multiple diagnoses proved the overlapping nature of muscle and intraarticular disorders. Twenty eight percent of the subjects suffered from a combination of myofascial pain with referral and bilateral temporoman-dibular dysfunction. In 62% of the patients a lack of intraarticular disorders was reported. The suggestion that there exists sided domination in the occurrence of temporomandibular disorders has not been confirmed. Due to the small sample size, such differences cannot be excluded. Fur-ther research is needed.

Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) and the Diagnostic Process in TMD

This chapter describes joint vibration analysis technology (JVA), that assesses pathological changes that can occur within the temporomandibular joints. The diagnostic process and a simplified approach to better understand and efficiently treat temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD), will be overviewed. With over 38 different etiologies under the umbrella term “TMD,” the need to streamline and effectively determine an accurate definitive diagnosis and potential treatment options becomes apparent. Joint vibration analysis (JVA) uses tissue accelerometers to objectively capture vibrations given off by structurally compromised, internal TM joint anatomy. This structural breakdown leads to altered mandibular movement patterns during chewing function. Different attributes of representative JVA vibrations have been shown to indicate the presence of various disease states, often seen within the temporomandibular joint complex. After being recorded, the JVA software displays the various vibration waveforms for clinician analysis, to determine the specific internal derangement present. This chapter provides an overview of the various vibratory waveforms that indicate TM Joint pathology is present, and illustrates the utility of joint vibration analysis as a temporomandibular joint diagnostic adjunct. When this information is combined with a thorough clinical exam and medical history, a clinician can then begin to efficiently present the information to the patient. Significantly, proper communication begins with presenting information that is easily understood and familiar to the patient. A simplified approach utilizing a JVA-based diagnostic process, will be overviewed in detail.

Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA)

This chapter describes Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) technology that assesses pathological changes that can occur within the Temporomandibular joints. Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) uses tissue accelerometers to objectively capture vibrations given off by structurally compromised internal TM Joint anatomy. The structural breakdown leads to altered mandibular movement patterns during chewing function. Different attributes of representative JVA vibrations have been shown to indicate the presence of various disease states often seen within the Temporomandibular Joint complex. After being recorded, the JVA software displays the various vibration waveforms for clinician analysis to determine the specific internal derangement present. This chapter provides an overview of the various vibratory waveforms that indicate TM Joint pathology and illustrates the utility of Joint Vibration Analysis as a Temporomandibular Joint diagnostic adjunct.

Adding Technology to Diagnostic Methods

Adding technology to clinical diagnosis improves patient care, because objective measurements enhance the patient's report of symptoms and the observations made during an examination. The combination of multiple tests has universally been acknowledged to improve diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, as well as add value to treatment effectiveness monitoring and treatment outcomes. This chapter discusses four dental technologies that objectively measure differing masticatory functions: Surface Electromyography, Magnet-Based 3-Dimensional Electrognathography, Temporomandibular Joint Vibration Analysis, and T-Scan Computerized Occlusal Analysis. Each technology is presented with examples of its output data recorded from both an asymptomatic patient and one demonstrating masticatory system dysfunction. An included case report illustrates how combining these technologies can therapeutically improve a symptomatic Occluso-Muscle Disorder patient's diagnosis and treatment. Finally, recommendations are made that Dental Medicine accept these technologies as an indispensable part of modern clinical practice, so that resistance to their implementation will no longer inhibit their use.

Applied Kinesiology: An Unexplored Path in Dentistry

ABSTRACT There are many forms of alternative medicines for treatment of any type of ailment, applied kinesiology being one of them. It is a scientific technique in which claims to diagnose illness or choose treatment by testing muscles for strength and weakness. A widespread use of applied kinesiology in dentistry has resulted in a complete reevaluation and understanding of patient's overall health and well-being. Concepts of structural integration, selection of materials for restoration, adjunctive therapies, equipments used for joint vibration analysis, have been described in this article. Review of literature has shown positive response by many dentists for this natural type of medicine. This article presents a review in which applied kinesiology and its uses in dentistry are reviewed and analyzed. How to cite this article Singh DA, Ram SM, Shah N, Nadgere J. Applied Kinesiology: An Unexplored Path in Dentistry. J Contemp Dent 2015;5(1):22-26.

Adding Technology to Diagnostic Methods

Adding technology to clinical diagnosis improves patient care, because objective measurements enhance the patient's report of symptoms and the observations made during an examination. The combination of multiple tests has universally been acknowledged to improve diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, as well as add value to treatment effectiveness monitoring and treatment outcomes. This chapter discusses four dental technologies that objectively measure differing masticatory functions: Surface Electromyography, Magnet-Based 3-Dimensional Electrognathography, Temporomandibular Joint Vibration Analysis, and T-Scan Computerized Occlusal Analysis. Each technology is presented with examples of its output data recorded from both an asymptomatic patient and one demonstrating masticatory system dysfunction. An included case report illustrates how combining these technologies can therapeutically improve a symptomatic Occluso-Muscle Disorder patient's diagnosis and treatment. Finally, recommendations are made that Dental Medicine accept these technologies as an indispensable part of modern clinical practice, so that resistance to their implementation will no longer inhibit their use.